April 2014 cover shoot: Joanna Lumley

At 67, Joanna Lumley is without question one of the UKs best-loved actresses, a tireless campaigner and now radiating on the cover of Good Housekeeping April issue she secures her rightful place as a national treasure.

In an exclusive interview she talks openly about never slowing down, not worrying about getting old, her ageless style tips, love of catnaps and never needing to exercise.

On her happiness about getting old?

Ive always loved it, I couldnt wait for it. I think what youve got to get in your head is you are born, you get old and you die. Ive looked forward to being older because you will have that many more miles covered. We mustnt be led into thinking getting old is bad. Growing old is good.

On her love of salted peanuts:

I eat like a sensible person. I havent got a very sweet tooth but I love salted things like nuts. I would have to be dragged in by a lorry if I ate as many salted peanuts as I would like to!

On never exercising:

I rush about. I rush at life. Every day there is too much to do! I live in a tall house, which means I run up and down five flights of stairs every day.

On being realistic about having work done to her face:

Im really not against it but whats the point of getting stuff done when Im looking to play older people like grannies? They are not going to cast me as a 35-year-old  there are 35-year-olds to do that. You have got to think very carefully what you want done.

On her hair tips:

I cut my hair myself and colour it. I know everybody in the hairdressing business despairs of me but its so much easier to do it yourself. The hairdresser costs a lot of money and is a treat.

On knowing her style:

Im tall with broad shoulders and therefore I like clothes with a bit of a swagger  mannish clothes that you can wear with a lot of feminine, sweet tops. I put my own looks together  a favourite coat, a bit of vintage, a bit of high street.

On never worrying about dress sizes:

Clothes that are too tight make you look bigger. If youve been trying to shed pounds and it doesnt go, buy the next size up. I never care what size my clothes are. I cut the labels out because they always scratch the back of my neck. Even my grandest clothes dont have labels on them. I cant bear it.

On keeping the romance alive with husband of 27 years, Stephen Barlow:

We write notes to each other and think of presents unexpectedly for each other. But romance is quite an overblown word. This idea of chocolates and champagne and thats it Theres more to love than that. Romance is quite a soppy word. Love is much more important.

On her love of a good power nap:

I would adore a bit more time but I dont know where it would come from. I know the power that sleep has  its more powerful than food or drink. If you havent got anything to do for 20 minutes, lie down and have a catnap. I catnap whenever I can.

On her life mantra:

Ive always believed you only have one go at life, which is thrilling. Only you can make yourself into who you want to be. Dont blame anybody else. You are entitled to free fresh air and thats it. Do the rest yourself.

Read the full Joanna Lumley interview in the April issue of Good Housekeeping, on sale Thursday 6 March.

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